Thursday's letters: Encouraging our farmers

Thursday

Jun 28, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Barack Obama may be able to wreck the economy, however, it doesn’t follow that electing Mitt Romney will automatically save it. The best we can hope for is a return to the rule of law. We will still need local economic solutions.

Barack Obama may be able to wreck the economy, however, it doesn’t follow that electing Mitt Romney will automatically save it. The best we can hope for is a return to the rule of law. We will still need local economic solutions.South Carolina needs to do all it can to remove tax and useless regulatory burdens on small businesses. That includes agriculture. South Carolina used to be famous for the quality of its fruits and vegetables. Policies that encourage small farmers to plant and that give them a ready market should be a priority. Every city and town in South Carolina should have a farmers’ market.We would have healthier and fresher produce, regardless of whether the economy improves .And if President Obama does get a second term, your farmer neighbor may at least be able to feed you.George BurnettSpartanburg

Working for a nonprofit organization, I’m used to asking for favors, money and time. I work for HUB-BUB, a local organization dedicated to building community through dynamic arts and ideas. Our latest idea was a public art mural in a prominent downtown location. We found Molly Rose Freeman, a Memphis, Tenn.-based artist making a name for herself with murals around the Southeast.

The community-minded folks at RJ Rockers stepped up to bring Molly to Spartanburg as a visiting artist. Others gave scaffolding, ladders and time, but halfway through we realized that a boom lift was necessary for completion. This was not in the budget.A supporter’s donation helped with a day’s rental, which we thought would be sufficient. After discovering that we needed a second day, I gathered newspaper articles about the project and went to plead for the donation of a second day’s rental. I showed articles and explained the project, but the manager wasn’t willing. A stranger standing nearby overheard the conversation and asked what we were doing. Without knowing about our organization, she said it sounded like a good project and asked the manager if he would agree to donate half if she paid half, which he did. The stranger paid $100, saying she felt blessed and wanted to help. With a lump in my throat, I thanked her for her generous donation.I’m not sure if she would want her name in the paper so I won’t include it, but I do want to thank her again. I couldn’t believe the beautiful act of kindness and generosity she exhibited. She didn’t seem wealthy but was willing to make a sacrifice for a positive community project. She certainly set an example for me, and I’m sure this story will inspire others, too. Thank you, stranger and friend.Stephen J. LongDirector, The Showroom at HUB-BUB

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